Vestil CP Series - Manual (Page 7)

Inspections before EACH use: visual examination should be performed by a person qualified and selected to
evaluate the condition of cables and cable pullers prior to each use. In particular, the selected person should
inspect the following items and prepare a written record describing the findings of the inspections:
1. Cable puller: visually inspect the puller for loose bolts/nuts, excessive wear of the mounting pin or cable
guide. Remove the puller from service if inspection personnel determine that the condition of the puller makes
it unsafe to use.
2. Cable: visually examine the cable for a) distortions, including kinks, crushed portions, segments where the
cable strands “birdcage”, displacement of the main strand, and exposed or protruding portions of the core; b)
generally corroded condition; c) broken or severed strands; OR d) broken wires. If one or more of conditions
a-d are discovered, the inspecting person should either permanently remove the cable from service, or
determine whether the nature and degree of damage makes the cable unsafe to use. Section 21-2.5.2 on p.
26 of ASME B30.21-1999 is an example of a checklist usable to determine whether a cable should remain in
service.
Periodic Inspections: visual inspections performed AND recorded by a qualified person.
1. Puller: visually examine the puller every 3 months. If the qualified person performing the inspection
determines that the condition of the puller constitutes a safety hazard, he should permanently remove it from
service. Lay the puller on a flat surface; remove the nuts and bolts that fasten the two sides of the housing
together; then remove the half of the housing facing upwards to expose the inner ratcheting mechanism.
Examine:
a. Ratcheting levers, release lever, cable guide, mounting pin, and each part of the ratcheting mechanism
for damage including warps, breaks, cracks, bends, thinned or excessively worn regions or corrosion;
b. Housing: examine the interior surface of each half of the housing. The inner surfaces, particularly the
depressions, should be liberally greased to prevent movements by the inner ratcheting mechanism from
wearing away the housing.
c. Inner ratcheting mechanism: excessive wear of linkages and other mechanical parts; AND/OR
d. Cable openings in the forward ratcheting lever (see FIG. 1C on p. 4): inspect for elongation or expansion
of the opening in the forward ratcheting lever;
e. Openings (in the housing) for the mounting pin (see FIG. 1A on p. 4): check for warping, stretching, or
cracking apparent to the pin opening in each half of the housing;
Maintenance: the end-user must implement a maintenance program to ensure the proper function and safe
condition of both the puller and cable. A qualified person can establish a program that is used in preference to
the maintenance procedures described below.
Replacement parts are not available for the cable puller. Any condition which requires
replacement parts can ONLY be corrected by purchasing a new puller.
ONLY qualified persons should perform maintenance on the puller. A qualified person is someone
“who, by possession of a recognized degree in an applicable field or certificate of professional standing, or who,
by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve
problems relating to the subject matter [cable puller] and work [use of the cable puller].” See ASME B30.21-0.2-
1999 on p. 6.
Step 1: Tag the cable puller, “Out of Service.”
Step 2: Perform all necessary adjustments and repairs as indicated by the most recent inspection.
Step 3: If other conditions exist which require new/replacement parts to repair, you must order a new puller or
cable. DO NOT modify the puller from its original condition unless you are authorized to do so and certain that
the puller will be safe to use afterwards.
The reader should understand the significant difference between “ Adjustments” and “Repairs,”
and “Modifications”.
 An
adjustment or repair refers to a simple correction that restores the puller to normal operating condition,
such as tightening loose fasteners, or removing debris from the surface of the cable puller. DO NOT use the
device if adjustments and/or repairs are incomplete! Return the puller to service ONLY after finishing all
necessary repairs and adjustments.
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